Trending Topics: Picking West All-Star reserves

The Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (left) and the Lakers’ Anthony Davis were popular West reserve picks among our writers.

Periodically, NBA.com’s writers will weigh in on key storylines or trending topics around the league.

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Who are your All-Star reserves from the Western Conference?

Editor’s Note: The All-Star reserves will officially be announced on Thursday night on TNT (7 ET).

> Trending Topics: Picking East All-Star reserves

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Steve Aschburner

Stephen Curry, Golden State WarriorsAnthony Edwards, Minnesota TimberwolvesKawhi Leonard, LA ClippersDomantas Sabonis, Sacramento KingsAnthony Davis, Los Angeles LakersDevin Booker, Phoenix SunsPaul George, LA Clippers

These reserves run the gamut for me from “of course” to “deserves” to “oh yeah!” selections. Can’t have this event without Curry, a people’s choice for a decade now. It’s good to see Leonard showing up and producing results for the Clippers (it’s been seven years since he last played 90% of his team’s games). For Edwards and, really, all the All-Stars, let’s hope there’s at least a tad of defensive attention to give their moves and explosiveness a proper context. The toughest call for me was George over De’Aaron Fox.

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Brian Martin

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota TimberwolvesStephen Curry, Golden State WarriorsKawhi Leonard, LA ClippersAnthony Davis, Los Angeles LakersPaul George, LA ClippersDomantas Sabonis, Sacramento KingsDevin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Edwards’ star power only continues to rise as he’s led the Wolves to the top of the West. The Warriors may be five games under .500 but Curry is why they’re still in striking distance of the Play-In Tournament. In the frontcourt, it’s all about L.A. and health. Leonard and George have missed only six games combined with each averaging 23 points while Leonard is top 10 in 3P%. Davis has missed just two games while averaging 25 and 12 and is in the top five in blocks.

For the wildcards, it was hard not to give a second All-Star to OKC or Minnesota (top two in the West). But I felt Sabonis (first in rebounds and double-doubles) and Booker (league’s fifth-leading scorer) had to be recognized.

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Shaun Powell

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota TimberwolvesStephen Curry, Golden State WarriorsAnthony Davis, Los Angeles LakersKawhi Leonard, LA ClippersPaul George, LA ClippersDe’Aaron Fox, Sacramento KingsDevin Booker, Phoenix Suns

At the risk of annoying hoop fans in Minnesota, I’m throwing more chill in their direction by choosing a lone Wolf. Since Minnesota has spent much of the season in first place, wassup with that? Do Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns have a case? Absolutely. But these are tough decisions. Making matters “worse,” the Lakers will likely have two All-Stars with Davis (who’s having a better year than LeBron James) and also a pair of hot Clippers in the front court. And I can’t ignore the impact of Booker and Fox, both of whom are off to great starts.

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John Schuhmann

Stephen Curry, Golden State WarriorsAnthony Davis, Los Angeles LakersAnthony Edwards, Minnesota TimberwolvesPaul George, LA ClippersRudy Gobert, Minnesota TimberwolvesKawhi Leonard, LA ClippersDomantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

I voted for Gobert and Leonard as starters, so they were easy picks here. Gobert isn’t a popular one, but the Wolves don’t have a top-five record because of their offense. With that being said, Edwards has the numbers and team success to be, with Curry, one of the two backcourt picks. Then it’s George (team success and efficiency), Davis (numbers) and Sabonis (numbers and efficiency) in that order, with apologies to Lauri Markkanen, Alperen Sengun and Karl-Anthony Towns. While the best Eastern Conference candidates are guards, it’s tougher to make the West squad in the frontcourt.

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Michael C. Wright

Stephen Curry, Golden State WarriorsAnthony Edwards, Minnesota TimberwolvesKawhi Leonard, LA ClippersAnthony Davis, Los Angeles LakersPaul George, LA ClippersDevin Booker, Phoenix SunsDomantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

The Warriors currently rank 12th in the Western Conference, but Curry remains one of the team’s bright spots and deserves his 10th All-Star nod. Leonard probably deserved consideration among the starters, while Edwards embodies the type of play that wows fans on All-Star weekend. George ranks right up there with Leonard in terms of production.

The same could be said about Davis compared to LeBron James. But the former has played more games than the latter. The wildcard picks here are no-brainers with Booker and Sabonis. Booker started the season slow, but he’s cooking now having scored 46 points or more in three of his last five games.